Saturday, 31 July 2010

AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Doug Bollinger was bemused by the revelation that England's batsmen were being blasted with AC/DC tunes to force them to focus harder on the bowling in the practice nets at their indoor cricket centre.The Ashes tour to help prepare, at the indoor center the temperature is increased quite a few uncomfortable degrees to simulate Australia's summer conditions. England have also imported from the US a high tech batting machine that replicates any bowler's action.But their choice of music surprised Bollinger most of all.

''I don't understand it,'' he said with a hint of a grin. ''I don't like AC/DC, so I won't be singing any of their songs (to the English).''The paceman described his current tour of England - which resulted in a one-day series loss to England and a drawn Test series with Pakistan - as a learning curve. He said the biggest lesson was to expect Ashes mania. Also, competition for a spot in the attack would be fierce.''We tried to concentrate on the series, but it was hard to escape the Ashes because everyone was hyping it up over there,'' he said. ''I'm focusing on the Indian series to ensure I get a game in the Ashes. Competition is tough - we have so many good bowlers. Ryan Harris is coming back (from injury). Peter Siddle is as well.''Everyone has to be on top of their game, and that's good because it means we'll all have to work harder.''

Friday, 23 July 2010

Back in 1979 a little known, Gateshead born singer called Brian Johnson was performing with his band Geordie while suffering from appendicitis. Rolling around on the floor in agony and screaming before being wheeled off stage, the gig was watched by enthralled AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott who thought it was part of the show. At the time, AC/DC were riding high on the back of ‘Highway To Hell’, their first album to make an impact in America, and finally, after five years it seemed the band were on the verge of major commercial breakthrough. But less than a year later, Scott was found dead in a car after choking on his own vomit on a night out in London. Soon after his death, AC/DC hired Johnson as their new singer.It’s debatable how many bands could lose their singer and return with not only their best record to date, but a record that would come to define the very spirit of rock ‘n’ roll itself, that would become a benchmark for other bands to aspire to aim for, but never better. ‘Back In Black’ is of course this album, and having sold over forty five million copies worldwide, it’s the second best selling album of all time, second only to Jacko’s ‘Thriller’.A tribute to their late singer, despite being born out of grief, ‘Back In Black’ explodes in a testosterone fuelled, strutting slab of sex, booze and fast cars. A raucous celebration of hedonistic excess, it’s ten songs of pure escapism, a middle finger to the mundane existence of everyday life.In comparison to Scott’s sleazy, bad boy growl, Johnson shrieks as though someone’s just stabbed him in the eye with a fork, while the Young brothers provide the frenzied solos and guitar riffs that spiral around him at an alarming rate. Sure, a lot of the songs sound the same and, despite being their best album, the prowling riff for ‘Shake A Leg’ or ‘Let Me Put My Love Into You’ could herald the arrival of myriad AC/DC numbers. Progression aint one of the band’s strong points, but hey, why mess with perfection?Of course, along with ‘Highway To Hell’, the raunch of ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’, anthemic air punching of ‘Hells Bells’ and the unstoppable, instantly recognisable riff of ‘Back In Black’, have become AC/DC signature songs - as synonymous with the band as Angus Young’s school uniform, duckwalking and perpetually raised arm.But it’s ‘Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’ that always caught this writer’s ear. The whole anthem sums up the swaggering, stomp of AC/DC’s pleasure seeking attitude. And as Johnson screeches “Forget about the past / It’ll always be with us / It’s never gonna die”, it’s clear just how fitting a tribute for rock’s wild man, Bon Scott, ‘Back In Black’ was and still is the biggest sex-soiled party that rock ever threw.Words by Dannii LeiversAC/DC - ‘Back in Black’

Released: 25th July 1980

Producer: Mutt Lange

MUSICIANS

Brian Johnson - lead vocals

Angus Young - lead guitar

Malcolm Young - rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Cliff Williams - bass guitar, backing vocals

Phil Rudd - drums, percussion

TRACKLIST

1. ‘Hells Bells’

2. ‘Shoot To Thrill’

3. ‘What Do You Do For Money Honey’

4. ‘Given The Dog A Bone’

5. ‘Let Me Put My Love Into You’

6. ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’

7. ‘Have A Drink On Me’

8. ‘Shake A Leg’

9. ‘Back In Black’

10. ‘Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution’

1980: In The News

- John Lennon is shot dead by Mark Chapman outside his flat in New York.

- Ronald Reagan becomes President of the United States.

- Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham dies of alcohol poisoning.1980: The Albums

Monday, 5 July 2010

Ever been daydreaming and wondered what would constitute the ingerdients to an AC/DC themed hamburger? Well wonder no more as you can find the answer and an instructional video (complete with Mutiny Within’s cover of Highway To Hell as recorded particularly for us) inside!INGREDIENTS* 1 LB Black Angus ground beef

AC/DC are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Although the band are commonly classified as hard rock, and considered pioneers of heavy metal, they have always classified their music as "rock and roll". The blog contains exclusive news, reviews, pictures, videos, albums, concerts,history, popular albums, lyrics, tour information, tickets and much more!!!